Let 3 Year Old Deaf Boy, Hunter Spanjer Keep His Sign Name

Hunter Spanjer is a 3-year-old-deaf boy from Nebraska who has been told by his school district to change the way he signs his name because the gesture resembles shooting a gun. I believe Hunter shouldn't have to change his name and that the school district is lacking common sense and compassion.

I spent five years working with deaf and hard of hearing adults and I know the importance of a sign name. It's unique to a deaf person and it's something that they shouldn't have to change. A sign name is just as real as the name you write on a piece of paper.

In an interview with The Huffington Post, Hunter's dad Brian said, "I feel like it was an overreach on their part and I expected a lot better from the local school district."

Please join me in standing with Hunter by signing this petition and telling the Grand Island Public School District to let Hunter Spanjer keep his sign name.

Letter to

Superintendent, Grand Island Public SchoolsDr. Robert W. Winter

Associate Superintendent, Grand Island Public SchoolsDr. Robin Dexter

I just signed the following petition addressed to: Grand Island Public Schools.

----------------I'm writing you today to ask that the Grand Island School District use common sense and allow Hunter Spanjer, a 3-year-old-deaf student, to keep his sign name.

A sign name is important and it is unique. It's something that they shouldn't have to change. A sign name is just as real as the name you write on a piece of paper every day.

The fact that Hunter's sign name may resemble a gun is irrelevant and is insignificant compared to the importance of this boy's name. He does not pose a danger and in fact, you're drawing more attention to this than the students probably did.